Espetada de Vaca Grelhada
Grilled Beef Skewers (Madeiran Style)
Yes, with a tweak: explicitly request no traditional sides like 'milho frito' (fried cornmeal), fries, or rice. About 3g net carbs per serving, lower than 9 in 10 Portuguese dishes.
What it is
Large chunks of beef (often sirloin or tenderloin) seasoned with garlic, bay leaf, and salt, then skewered on a laurel branch or metal skewer and grilled. A Madeiran specialty that is inherently keto-friendly, provided carby sides are avoided.
Key ingredients
Beef (e.g., sirloin, tenderloin), garlic, bay leaves, coarse sea salt, olive oil.
How to make it keto
Explicitly request no traditional sides like 'milho frito' (fried cornmeal), fries, or rice. Ask for a large green salad with olive oil and vinegar, or a side of steamed vegetables like broccoli or green beans.
Say this to the waiter (Portuguese)
A Espetada de Vaca Grelhada, por favor, sem milho frito, batatas fritas ou arroz. Pode ser uma salada verde grande com azeite e vinagre, ou legumes cozidos a vapor?
I'd like the Espetada de Vaca Grelhada without milho frito, fries, or rice. Please substitute with a large green salad with olive oil and vinegar, or steamed vegetables.
Watch out for
Traditional carby sides are the main risk. Some marinades might contain trace sugars, but typically very minimal for this dish.
Macros are estimates for a typical serving and vary by restaurant. Confirm ingredients with staff, especially if you have allergies. Our ingredient lists are generated automatically and describe how a dish is typically made.
More on the Portuguese menuAll 980 Portuguese dishes ›
